Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,426, Benjamin Fry, R.I. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. I. Sea Service
Fry, Benjamin. or Frye
S 17H 26
Carded.
CONTENTS

Rhode Island
3688
True Benjamin Foy
of Newport in the State of Rhode Island who was a Captain in the ~~~~~ commanded by Captain ~~~~~ of the Regt. commanded by Richmond in the R. Island line for Laysan. sea service.
Inscribed on the Books of Rhode Island at the rate of 480 Dollars ~~~~~ Cents per annum to commence on the 15th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Decem- ber 1832 ~ and sent to the Pension at Newport R.I.
  Arrears to 15th of Sept 1832  $720. 00    Semestral allowance ending 4 Nov. 1832  240. 00     $960. 00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Ad June 7, 38
Recorded by Deane Book D Vol. 3. Page 111.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations County of Newport
On this Fourteenth day of September A 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate now sitting at Newport within a rode for said Town of Newport Benjamin Fry a resident of said Newport in the said County of Newport and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 4 th A 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In October A 1775. he was appointed by the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island, first Lieut. of the first Company in Col. 1 st Richmonds Regiment and received a Commission signed by Nicholas Sook Governor of said Colony, which Commission he now has in his possession and at the Session of the General Assembly in Providence January 1776 he was promoted to be the Captain of said first Company and received a Commission signed by Nicholas Cook Governor and he also has that Commission now in his possession; on being appointed to command the said Company he was ordered to proceed immediately with his Company on the Island of Conanicut in the Harbour of Rhode Island, to protect and defend the Inhabitants from being plundered of their Stock and other property by the British Fleet then in the Harbour of Newport, said Commissioned by Sir James Wallace. He remained on the Island of Conanicut until (he believes) the Month of May following during which time he had many skirmishes with the British Marines, and exchanged many cannon shot with their Ships from the cannon belonging to a Detachment of Artillery attached to his Company and under his command some of the British were killed. But had none of his men were killed, the British was not able to effect a landing with their whole Force, and he never had a General engagement with them after his return to Newport where Col. Richmonds Regiment was then stationed he was ordered to Howlands

Newlands Ferry on the North end of the Island of Rhode Island where he was employed during that summer in Building a Fort. in October 1778. he left Col o Hightmawds Regiment and went soon after to Jersey, having received a Captain's Commission sign by John Hancock President & Attest Charles Thomson Secy and when General Washington had Quarters was at Princeton, he was sent by his orders to Egg Harbor to obtain information respecting the conduct of some of the Inhabitants of that place who Gen l Washington had been informed was supplying the British with fresh provisions & other Articles and giving them information respecting his Army. when returning from Egg Harbor he lost his pocket Book with his Money and Papers, and when he arrived in Philadelphia, Congress was then in Session in Philadelphia. he had his pocket Book advertised offering as a Reward all the Money it contained for the pocket Book & Papers. and through the polite attention of the Hon ble William Ellery then a member of Congress he obtained his permission to direct the pocket Book and papers delivered to him if found. Mr. Ellery Received the Pocket Book in consequence of its being advertised and forwarded it to him, his loss consisted of all the Money that was in the pocket Book, his Captain's comm n . and some other papers of less value.
He has several more Commissions which are missing and it is now probable they will ever be seen by him again, not expecting they would ever be of any use to him, care has not been had to preserve them. Soon after his return to General Washington's Army from Egg Harbor, he was taken sick so much is disposed that he left the Jerseys and returned to Providence in R d Island, and continued in the State of Rhode Island until the British Army left Newport. so soon as his health would permit he took command of a Volunteer Company, and was stationed in Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island to guard those shores. where he remained about six months, and from thence he went to North Kingstown and was stationed there three or four months, and was literally in the entire all the time the British Army Remained in possession of

of Newport R.I. after his return from the Jerseys.
In April 1779 he was appointed Captain of a Flag of Truce to proceed from R.I. Island to New York to bring from thence as many Prisoners as he could obtain the discharge off, and received a Commission for that purpose signed by the Honb. Sabaz Bowen Esq r Deputy Governor, & Lieut t General of the State of R.I. Islands which Commission he now has in his possession.
In (he thinks) 1780 was appointed an Aid to Col. Cornell who was appointed to command all the State Troops, Volunteers and Militia that were ordered into actual service for the Protection and Defense of the State of Rhode Island for one Year.
He was in many more instances employed in the service of his country during the War, both by Land and Sea.
He was in two different Engagements at Sea with two different Twenty Gun British Men of War, and at that time he acted as Captain of Men. But deeming it to be both troublesome and unnecessary, forbears a further detail account of his services. And the said Benjamin Fry further says that he was in service as a Captain, in State, Continental, & United States Service altogether more than Two Years & a half, as appears by the foregoing Statement.
And he names the Honb d Asher Robbins and Rev d William Patten as two persons who are acquainted with him, and who will testify as to his veracity, and to the belief of the neighborhood where he resides in regard to his services as an Officer of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Benjamin Fry
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Benjamin Norton Brewster
We Asher Robbins and William Patten Residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Col d Benjamin Fry, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration.

(Declaration) That we believe him to be seventy two years of Age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an Officer in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
W. Patten.
Asher Robbins
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above said Benj B Howland Clerk of Probate
And he further states that he was born in East Greenwich in the County of Kent in the state aforesaid on the tenth day of March, 1760 that at the time he entered into the service aforesaid he resided in Newport R.I. where he hath ever resided, except for the time said town of Newport, was in the possession of the Enemy during the the revolutionary war, and when he still doth live - and that he hath no record of his age -
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Benj B Howland Clerk
Benjamin Fry
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Officer and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that William Patten who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Newport, and that the Hon. B. Asher Robbins, who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Newport, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Benjamin B. Howland, Clerk of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Fry for a pension, and also that he produced the commissions in Court, which are named as his his possession in the foregoing declaration. and allow. to be true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fourteenth day of September A Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Benj B Howland Probate Clerk

Brig. Faye Newport R.I.
Captain Dymans
The 5 th interrogatory not coupled with.
Col. Brig. Faye Newport R.I. Class P. 107.

BRIEF in the case of  Benj Frye  of Newport  in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Can't  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1778 Oct 1776 Jan'y 2 6 ~ 1 st Lieut Capt  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 2 at sea  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not particular as regards the length of each period of service. 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. Brall Examining Clerk.

BRIEF in the case of  Benj Frye  of Newport  in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Point  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1775 Oct 1776 Jan 2 6 ~ 1 st Lieut Capt  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 2 at sea  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not particular as regards the length of each period of service. 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
John B. Russell Examining Clerk.

L. N. B. I. 17476,
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
March 8th, 1899.
Sir:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that Benjamin Frye made an application for pension on September 14, 1832, at which time he was 72 years of age and residing at Newport, R. I., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a Captain in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war. Place of his enlistment not stated. He served under Col. Richmond.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. William Congdon Fry,
36 Brighton St.,
Providence, R. I.

RF
R.D. 9
17426 INVALID.
No. 17426
Benjamin Fry
Capt Rev War
Act: June 7" 82
Index: Vol. 1, Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Mar 8 99 Mrs C Fry, Pr
Oct 9 99 R.H. Tille Newport Dec 2 11

Dr. Williams Order to pay to Capt. John Wallen all the money in my hands due when I deliver my accounts (in detail) - Octobr 22 1776 -
Capt. John Wallen with Capt. Henry
Benjamin Fry S.F. 17426 P.S.

Newport Head Quarters October 22, 1876 By Order of Col. William Richmond, Commandant of the 1st Regiment.
Sir You are hereby requested to pay to Capt. Wallen or his Order all the Money in your hands, due to the Officers now on board the Ship and also their wages who have deserted. whose receipt shall be your full discharge; Yrs Richard Lewis
Col. W. B. Tracy
Forwarded to Provost Marshal I left Richmond's Regiment B. D. ...

United States of America.
State of Rhode Island. County of Newport } ss.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace for the Town of Newport, in said county, Benjamin Fry, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively, as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades, for three months I served as first Lieutenant of the first Company in Col. Richmond's Regiment and nine months as a Captain in the same Regiment, for three months I served as a Captain in the continental service, for nine months I served as a Captain of a Volunteer Company in the States service, for two months I served as a Captain of a Platoon of Artillery, for twelve months I served as a Captain with the Brevet Rank of a Major, for five months I served as a Captain of Marines on board the General Stark, and for such service I claim a pension.
Newport ss. Newport, Dec: 20 th A.D. 1832. Sworn to this day before me.
Bliss B. Howland Justice Peace
Total Service
Benj. Fry
  Three Months 1 st Lieut. Marine Co. as Capt. -  12 Months    Three Months as a Capt. in Cont. Service -  3 " "    Nine Months as a Capt. of Volunteer -  9 " "    Twelve Months Rank of Capt. & Brevet Rank of Maj. -  12 " "    Two Months as Capt. of a Platoon of Art. -  2 " "    Five Months as Capt. of Marines -  5 " "     3 Yrs 7 M 10 D  

United States of America.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Newport ss. I George C. Mason, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State within and for said county of Newport, do hereby certify that Benjamin B. Rowland is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Newport, in said county and that his name subscribed to the foregoing certificate is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at said Newport, this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Geo. C. Mason, Clk.

FREE
Louis C. Co. Secretary of War Washington City D P

Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War Sir
Kingport Rhode Island Octob. 18. 1832
In which you will receive my Papers forwarded for the purpose of enabling me to avail my- self of the Benefit and provision of the Act of the last Session of Congress for the Officers and Soldiers of the War of the Rebellion. — with my Declaration you have inclosed a Letter from the Hon. Daniel P. Rand one a Representative of Congress, and one from Hon. William Hunter former a Senator in Congress, and I have named the Hon. Asher Robbins now a Senator in Congress as one of the persons well acquain- -inted with my and he has sworn and subscribed the certificate required.
So soon as my case can well be decided on you will much oblige me, by forwarding to me my Certificate With Considerations I have the Honor to be
Sir Your most Obt. Servt. Benjamin Fry
Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Sir The foregoing is a copy of my Letter dated on the 10 October, since which nothing has been heard from you, and as several of the Applicants in this Forum who made their Declaration in the same Court, and on the same

same day that mine was made have Received their Answers and certificates Several days Post I much fear that my papers have not reached you in safety. I therefore Pray your early answer and hope I am not Tassine your good will too high in making this request, which if granted will save much trouble
Yours Truly O. S. [Signature] Benjamin Drey Newport R.I. Island November 23, 1832

James L. Edwards Esq r Pension Office War Department Washington

Newport October 18 th 1832.
James L Edwards Esq.
Colonel B. Ferry a respectable citizen, who is known as being engaged in revolutionary service, and who has received many marks of public estimation, has requested me to say so much in his favor. This I do cheerfully, and with the utmost sincerity. His claim for the benefit of the late act of Congress is believed to be one of perfect propriety and fairness, and if conferred will be so with universal approbation. I know such letters as these are useless, but I have yielded to the application of Col. Ferry in this instance, so that you might have in his case in addition to the legal testimony the opinion of one who is cautious in statement and is with great respect, Your obedient faithful servant William Hunter.

Newb.
Newport R.I. Dec. 20. 1832
J. L. Edwards
Sir
I again forward you my Declaration, with its Amendment, which I hope, and trust, will prove satisfactory.
The delay has been owing to a violent and most dangerous attack of Pleurisy which has confined me to a sick Room and Bed, for more than six weeks, and as I have lived to more than the Term allowed to Man on Earth, my age and the consequent infirmities, with the addition of my present weak and feeble State of both Body and Mind admonishes me (most Powerfully) of the necessity of preparing to go to that Bourne, from whence no Traveller Returns.
I sincerely and most humbly, Pray you Sir to favor me with an early decision on my Case. Otherwise I may not live to Personally reap any Benefit or Aid, from a Pension so Hazardous and hardily Earned by me.
With much Respect
I am Sir your Most Ob. t Servt. Benjamin Fry

Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War Washington

Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War Sir
Keokuk Rd. October 18 - 1832
Herewith you will receive my papers forwarded for the purpose of enabling me, to avail myself of the Benefit and Provisions of the Act, of the last session of Congress, for the Officers and Soldiers of the War of the Revolution. — with my Declaration you have enclosed a letter from the Hon. L. S. Debree now a Representative of Congress, and one from Hon. William Hunter formerly a Senator in Congress, and I have named the Hon. Asahel Hobbs now a Senator in Congress as one of the persons well acquainted with me, and he has sworn and subscribed the Certificate required.
so soon as my case can well be decided on, You will much oblige me, by forwarding to me, my Certificate
With High consideration.
I have the Honor to be
Sir Your Obedient Servant
Benjamin Fry

Howe Lewis Cays — January 1842 Washington

Newport October 16 th 1832
Dear Lewis Cays
Summary of war -
In, this letter will reach you at the same time you will receive the statement and other papers of Col. Myles Fry of this town, who applied for the benefit of the law of the last Session of Congress, made in behalf of those who in the Revolutionary war, either in the Land or Naval Service acquired the Independence of this country, and who have not been provided for by any former act of Congress. - I have been intimately acquainted with Col. Fry for more than twenty years, who during that period of time has been either an honorable and intelligent Merchant or an experienced and skillful Ship master. - In their relations and in that of an officer who during the late war commanded an independent company which garrisoned the forts in the harbor and repelled the assaults of the enemy he stood as he now stands, in the first class of men and citizens.
In a long and laborious life, he has encountered many overwhelming difficulties but throughout all those events, his integrity

has risen above adversity, and his charac- ter now stands above before his country pure unsoiled and without a single im- putation dishonorable to himself or the name of an American —
In all the statements which he has made concerning his Renown- now any showing tropics, you may fully rely, without the least amount of either truth or coarseness — I hope thought proper to submit this testimonial in behalf of Col. Fry as an act of justice to him and prove a full vindication that all here who are acquainted with him, as I have been, would join me in what I have said in his behalf — I have the honor to be your very obedient servant D. H. Pease

Capt - gn 13 9.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no~ VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days. I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

B It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Your Pensions should accompany your Amended Declaration

36 Brighton St. L Providence, R.I. Feb. 17th 1899.
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly investigate and inform me if the name of Capt. or Maj. Benj. Fry of the Fourth R.I. Continental Infantry, appears on your rolls as a pensioner.
I desire to re- fer to what public records I can for the purpose of admission to the Sons of the American Revolution.
Very Respectfully,
Wm Congdon Fry.

To Fry's Commission to command the Sloop Sally in Flag of Truce - B. to N. York 1779
By the Honorable Ja s Bower Esquire Deputy-Governor & Lieutenant General of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence-Plantations.
To Benjamin Fry Greeting.
You the said Benjamin Fry are hereby empowered and commissioned to take the charge and command of the Sloop Sally — of the the Burthen of twenty five Tons or thereabouts & navigated with three Men whose Names will be hereunto subjoined by Christopher H er y Esquire Commissary of Prisoners for this State; and in her to proceed with a Flag of Truce to New York to bring from thence as many American Prisoners as you can obtain the Discharge of and can accommodate; and with
Benjamin Fry S.F. 17. 126 R2.

with them return immediately to this State.
And it is expected and required of all Persons who occur to consider and treat you the said Benjamin Fry your People and the Prisoners you shall take on board on both the Passages to and from New-York as proceeding under the sanction of a Flag of Truce issued agreeable to the laws of Nations.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said State at Providence this Third Day of April A. D. 1779 and in the Third Year of Independence.
By his Honor's command Henry Ward
Jabez Bowen
Names of Mariners in the within Passage viz — James Potter Stephen Anthony Joe Mason Pomp a Negro
April 6 th 1779
Christ. Atty Genl. of Briz. State of Rhode Island

BY THE HONORABLE
NICHOLAS COOKE, Esq;
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the English Colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America.
To Benjamin Fry, Gentleman . . . . . Greeting.
WHEREAS for the Preservation of the Rights and Liberties of His Majesty's loyal and faithful Subjects in this Colony, and the other Colonies in America , the GENERAL ASSEMBLY, at the Session held at Providence on the last Wednesday in October , A. D. 1775, ordered a Regiment, to consist of Five Hundred Men, to be raised; and at the Session held at Providence on the Second Monday in January , A. D. 1776, augmented said Regiment to Seven Hundred and Fifty Men, exclusive of an Artillery Company to the same belonging; and at the same Session passed an Act ordering another Regiment, consisting of Seven Hundred and Fifty Men, to be raised, and embodying the said Two Regiments into One Brigade: And whereas you the said Benjamin Fry . . . . . are appointed Captain of the First Company in the said first mentioned Regiment
I do therefore hereby, in His Majesty's Name, GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britain, &c. authorize, empower, and commission, you the said Benjamin Fry . . . . . to have, take, and exercise, the Office of Captain of the First Company in the said first mentioned Regiment and to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof. And in case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy, to infest or disturb this or any other of His Majesty's Colonies in America , you are to alarm and gather together the Company — under your Command, or any Part thereof, as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to Resist, Expel, Kill and Destroy them, in order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty, and His good Subjects, in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time be given forth, either by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY or your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the said Colony, this Fourth Day of February — in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-six.
Nich Cooke
By His Honor's Command,
Henry Ward

By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esquire Governor, Captain General, and Commander in Chief of and over the English Colony of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations in New England in America.
To Benjamin Fry. Gentleman. ~~~~~ Greeting.
Whereas for the Preservation of the Rights and Liberties of His Majesty's loyal and faithful Subjects in this Colony and America, the General Assembly at their Session in Providence on the last Wed nesday in October last past have ordered a Regiment to be inlisted and embodied and have appointed you the said Benjamin Fry, Lieutenant of the First Company in the said Regiment. You are therefore hereby in His Majesty's Name George the Third, by the Grace of God King of Great Britain &c. authorized empowered and commissioned to have take and exercise the Office of Lieutenant of the First Company in the Regiment aforesaid; and to command guide and conduct the same or any Part thereof. And in Case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this or any other of His Majesty's Colonies in America, you are to alarm and gather together the said Company under your Command or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient and therewith to the utmost of your Skill and Ability you are to Resist Resist Kill and Destroy them in Order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty and His good Subjects in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions Directions and Orders as shall from Time to Time be given forth, either by the General Assembly or your Superior Officers. And for your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said Colony this Eleventh Day of November A.D. 1778. and in the Sixteenth Year of His said Majesty's Reign.
Nich d Cooke
By his Honor's Command. Henry Ward